Viral infections in children can happen at any time of year, although they are more common in the winter months. If your child does fall ill with a summer cold, flu or another infection then you will usually be able to manage the symptoms at home, just as you do in summer.

One reason why viral infections in children can be very troublesome is that they tend to spread very rapidly, especially between children who are attending the same school, nursery or playgroup. Understanding how viral infections pass between children can help us to prevent the germs from spreading.

It is difficult to see the positive side of bacterial or viral infection in children when you are dealing with runny noses, vomiting and crankiness. However, the infections that we have as children may actually have some benefits for our health.

It might seem obvious, but keeping your child’s bedroom dark is one of the best ways to prevent sleep disorders in children. Anything from a bright light to a dim screen in the corner can cause sleep problems.

Antibiotics can play an important role in the treatment of childhood infections, but they aren’t always the right option. Antibiotics cannot be used for viral infection treatment in children and there are some important reasons why they should be used very carefully.

If you’re worried about travelling with a child who has a food allergy, it can help to choose the right destination. Many countries are well prepared for visitors with food allergies and there are plenty of places where the local cuisine usually avoids common allergens.

Children need more sleep than adults, but the amount required will change with age. It’s important to ensure that your child is getting enough rest at each stage in their development and to be aware of the signs of sleep disorders in children.

Every child who has pneumonia will benefit from getting lots of rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and enjoying some attention from you. However, different kinds of pneumonia may require different types of medication.

Suspecting that your child has an allergy is not the same as knowing for sure. It is important to seek advice from a doctor before making any drastic decisions about your child’s diet or lifestyle. A private paediatrician in London can test for allergies and provide advice on avoiding any triggers.

Flu season is the part of the year when you are most likely to catch influenza. Although it is possible to get flu at any point in the year, it tends to spread more quickly during the colder winter months, just like the common cold and other kinds of viral infection in children.

Food allergies in children can be relatively simple to manage when they are young. However, at some point, your child is going to be old enough to go out without you. You need to be sure that they can buy a snack or eat at a friend’s house safely.